Ink Costs vs Using a Return Service — Which Wins?

Printing return labels requires ink, which adds ongoing costs. Comparing ink costs to return service fees reveals which option is more cost-effective. Here's the complete comparison.

The Ink Cost Analysis

Per Return Label

Ink Consumption:

• 1-2% of cartridge per label
• Cartridge: $20-60
• Cost: $0.20-1.20 per label

Average: $0.40-0.60 per label

Annual Ink Costs

If You Make 2 Returns Per Month:

• 24 returns/year
• $0.50 × 24 = $12
• Annual ink cost

If You Make 3 Returns Per Month:

• 36 returns/year
• $0.50 × 36 = $18
• Annual ink cost

If You Make 4 Returns Per Month:

• 48 returns/year
• $0.50 × 48 = $24
• Annual ink cost

If You Make 5 Returns Per Month:

• 60 returns/year
• $0.50 × 60 = $30
• Annual ink cost

The Complete Printing Cost

Beyond Just Ink

Ink:

• $0.40-0.60 per label

Paper:

• $0.01-0.02 per page
• Minimal

Printer Depreciation:

• $0.10-0.20 per label
• Hidden cost

Total Printing Cost: $0.51-0.82 per label

Plus Your Time

Time Investment:

• Print label: 2-5 minutes
• Package: 5-10 minutes
• Drive: 15-30 minutes
• Wait: 10-45 minutes
• Process: 5 minutes
• Return: 15-30 minutes
• Total: 52-125 minutes

Time Cost (at $50/hour):

• $43.33-104.17
• Massive cost

Total DIY Cost: $43.84-104.99 per return

The Return Service Cost

Service Fee

Pickup Service:

• $20-25 per return
• All-inclusive
• Transparent cost

Time Cost:

• 90 seconds: $1.25
• Minimal

Total Service Cost: $21.25-26.25

The Comparison

DIY with Printer

Printing Costs:

• Ink: $0.50
• Paper: $0.01
• Depreciation: $0.15
• Subtotal: $0.66

Time Costs:

• 90 minutes: $75 (at $50/hour)
• Subtotal: $75

Total: $75.66 per return

Return Service

Service Fee:

• $22

Time Cost:

• 90 seconds: $1.25

Total: $23.25

Savings: $52.41 per return

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Occasional Returns

Situation:

• 2 returns/month
• Print at home

Ink Cost:

• $0.50 × 24 = $12/year
• Annual ink cost

But Total Cost:

• $75.66 × 24 = $1,815.84/year
• Massive expense

With Service:

• $23.25 × 24 = $558/year
• Saves $1,257.84/year

Example 2: Frequent Returns

Situation:

• 4 returns/month
• Print at home

Ink Cost:

• $0.50 × 48 = $24/year
• Annual ink cost

But Total Cost:

• $75.66 × 48 = $3,631.68/year
• Enormous expense

With Service:

• $23.25 × 48 = $1,116/year
• Saves $2,515.68/year

The Key Insight

Ink Is Small Part

Ink Cost:

• $0.50 per return
• Small portion

Time Cost:

• $75 per return
• Dominant cost

The Reality:

• Ink cost is 0.7% of total
• Time cost is 99% of total
• Time dominates

The Complete Picture

DIY Total Cost

Direct Costs:

• Ink: $0.50
• Paper: $0.01
• Gas: $1.50
• Subtotal: $2.01

Time Costs:

• 90 minutes: $75
• Subtotal: $75

Vehicle Costs:

• $6

Total: $83.01 per return

Service Total Cost

Service Fee:

• $22

Time Cost:

• 90 seconds: $1.25

Total: $23.25

Savings: $59.76 per return

Making the Decision

If Only Considering Ink

Ink Cost:

• $0.50 per return
• $12-30 per year
• Seems cheap

But Reality:

• Time cost dominates
• Total cost much higher
• Ink is misleading

The Real Comparison

DIY Total:

• $83.01 per return
• Complete cost

Service Total:

• $23.25 per return
• Complete cost

Winner: Service (saves $59.76)

The Bottom Line

Ink costs $0.50 per return, but this is only 0.7% of the total DIY cost. When you factor in time ($75), vehicle costs ($6), and other expenses, DIY costs $83.01 per return.

Return services cost $23.25 per return and save $59.76 per return. The savings are massive, making services the clear winner even when considering ink costs.

If you're comparing ink costs to service fees, you're missing 99% of the picture. Factor in time and the comparison is clear: services win decisively.

Ready to see the real comparison? Check Returnful's service and calculate your true savings.

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Want to see the real cost comparison? Text us at 469-790-7579 for a complete breakdown!